Foot-treatment device



Dec. 6, 1938. 5. F. F'AY 2,139,263

FOOT TREATMENT miv'rcv.

Filed Feb. 26, 1938 CARL FAY INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE? 2 Claims.

The present invention pertains to means for attachment to the under surface of the sole of a shoe for the raising of the'a'nterior arch of the foot and for the treatment of callouses. This device is, in part, somewhat similar to the device shown in the Warner Patent No. 2,047,756, issued July 14, 1936. However, that device is not intended to have any curative effect butmerely to support the shank, of a shoe so as to prevent it from breaking down under the weight of the user. This device, on the contrary, is of a different shape and is differently located so as to actually lift the metatarsal bones, when standing, and, in part, when walking. Thus, varied movements of the metatarsals are produced, with a resulting tendency to strengthen the muscles of the foot Among the objectsof this invention are to exert a beneficial effect upon the anterior arch of the foot by raising the metatarsal bones when the wearer of the shoe is standing or walking; to provide means for reducing pressure upon the ball of the foot when standing or Walking and thereby reduce or cure callouses; and such further objects, advantages, and capabilities as will hereafter appear and as are inherent in the construction disclosed herein. While I have shown in the annexed drawing what is now regarded .as the preferred embodiment of this invention, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only and not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. i In the drawing annexed hereto and formin a part hereof,

Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a shoe equipped with my present invention;

Fig. 2 represents a bottom view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of a pad used for raising the metatarsals;

Fig. 4 represents a front edge view of the structure shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 represents a fragmentary transverse section taken substantially along the plane designated by the line 5-5,, Fig. 2.

Referencewill now be made in greater detail to the annexed drawing for a more complete disclosure of this invention. To the sole l of the shoe is secured an anterior heel 2 in a position to press upwardly against the metatarsals when the wearer of the shoe is standing or walking. This anterior heel or lift 2 is made somewhat concave on the upper side to approximately fit the sole of the shoe and has its edge portion 3 tapered to nearly a feather edge. The opposite edge 4 is thick enough so that, when the lift 2 and-the heel E'rest upon a plane surface, the forward portion of the sole l willbe lifted quite substantially above a flat surface upon which the shoe rests. The forward and rearward portions of the lift meet in an edge 6 which extends downwardly slightly lower than the forward. edge of the anterior heel or lift.

On the forward portion of the sole is secured a pair of pads 1 and 8 of substantial thickness at their outer edges and tapered at their inner edges and forward ends practically to a feather edge. This places the greater part of the weight of the body upon the outer edges of the pads 1 and 8 when walking. The lift 2 is of a sufficient thickness so that when the shoe is resting on the heel 5 and. said lift 2, the pads I and 8 will be substantially out of contact with the surface by which the shoe is supported. It will be readily apparent that when the wearer of the shoe'stamds solidly on the heel 5 and lift 2, the tendency will be to raise the metatarsals and to permit the forward portion of the foot to bend downwardly. Then, whenthe wearer stepsforwardly, the forward portion of the shoe comes into contact with the supporting surface, floor, pavement, or the like, and the metatarsals again move down relatively to the anterior portion of the foot. Inthis way, there is secured quite a flexing of the foot and more exercise for the foot muscles, resulting in an improved foot condition. Also, since the pads I and 8 take a large portion of the body weight upon their outer edges, the middle of the shoe sole is permitted to flex downwardly thereby reducing the pressure upon that area of the foot upon which callouses most commonly occur.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided means which will improve and strengthen 'the foot condition'and relieve the wearer of the shoe of a great deal of discomfort.

It will of course be understood that the specific description of structure set' forth above may be departed from without departing from the spirit of this invention as set forth in this speci- 45 fication and the appended claims.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a shoe, an anterior heel located under the forward portion of the arch and spaced from the shoe heel, and a pair of pads secured to the shoe sole, the rear edges of which are spaced forwardly from said anterior heel, said pads extending from said rear edges to the toe of the-shoe and being spaced from each other throughout their length and said 55 ward ground-engaging surface and a rear up-' wardly inclined surface, the top suriace from the front of the ground-engaging surface to the rear of the upwardly inclined suriace'being in contact with the shoe arch, whereby the rear portion of the heel is tapered and aflords support for the arch diminishing rearwardly from 5 the ground-engaging portion.

-- CARL F. FAY. 

